were aligned with the tea party movement, had high ideals about changing washington, the debt and the deficit and tax reform and everything but also about campaign money. well, they realized that campaigns are very expensive. if you want to win, you've got to bring in a lot of money. >> reporter: efforts to regulate lobbying date back to 1876 when the house first required lobby i haves to register with the clerk. in the 21st century, the lobbying industry has become a revolving door for lawmakers. they retire from congress and make more money returning as lobbyists, often getting special access with their former colleagues on capitol hill. a study by the watchdog group public citizen found that 43% of the members of congress who left office between 1998 and mid 2005 went on to register as lobbyists. in 2007, thurber advised then senator obama, who championed sweeping lobby reform. >> big money and lobbyists were clearly drowning out the aspirations of the american people. >> reporter: lobbyist jake abrahm off had just gone to prison for cheating clients and bribing congress. lawmakers passed